The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has formally emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) ahead of the 2027 general elections, pledging sweeping economic reforms, transparent governance and a citizen-focused leadership model if elected President of Nigeria.
Makinde, who accepted the party’s nomination on Friday in Ibadan, said his decision to run was anchored on what he described as an urgent national duty to restore hope, rebuild public confidence in governance, and reposition Nigeria’s economy for productivity and fairness.
He stressed that Nigeria’s vast natural and human resources should translate into improved living conditions for citizens, lamenting that the country’s wealth had not been effectively harnessed to end widespread hardship.
“I stand before you today with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility as I accept the nomination to serve as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement for the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Makinde declared.
The governor, who has been in office since 2019, said his campaign would be driven by “practical reforms” rather than political rhetoric, insisting that governance must directly impact the daily realities of Nigerians.
According to him, Nigeria’s economic revival would require discipline, honesty, and structural reforms capable of rebuilding critical sectors.
“I believe that we possess the capacity to rebuild our economy through honesty, discipline and practical reforms. When I speak of practical reforms, I mean reforms that directly improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
Makinde outlined key policy directions, including far-reaching reforms in the oil and gas sector, stressing that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited must undergo restructuring to operate more efficiently and transparently.
“The NNPC must be reformed into a lean, efficient and commercially driven institution through proper corporate restructuring, stronger partnerships and institutional reforms,” he said.
He added that Nigeria must ensure that its natural resources deliver tangible benefits to citizens rather than remaining abstract national wealth.
On agriculture and food security, the APM presidential candidate decried the level of hunger in the country despite its arable land and resource endowment, describing the situation as unacceptable.
“It is unacceptable that a nation blessed with abundant resources still has millions of citizens going to bed hungry,” he said.
Makinde proposed a data-driven agricultural strategy aimed at improving production, storage, processing, and logistics across the agricultural value chain.
The governor further distanced his ambition from populist promises, describing himself as a technocrat who prioritises results-driven governance.
“I do not stand before you promising miracles. I am an engineer, not a miracle worker. What I promise is leadership that listens, leadership that learns, leadership that acts,” he stated.
He maintained that his aspiration was not about personal ambition but a broader national renewal agenda.
Earlier at the event, a high-powered delegation from Bauchi State, led by Deputy Governor Mohammed Auwal Jatau, who represented Governor Bala Mohammed, formally endorsed Makinde’s candidacy.
The delegation described Makinde as a unifying figure with the competence and experience required to steer Nigeria through its current challenges.
“We are here on behalf of the government and people of Bauchi State to support, endorse and celebrate the emergence of our dear distinguished brother, Oluwaseyi Makinde, as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement,” Jatau said.
He added that Makinde represented “the leadership Nigeria needs at this critical moment,” expressing confidence in his ability to deliver national renewal.
